Naidu Pitched Women Entrepreneurship as Key Driver of Andhra Pradesh’s Economic Growth

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said women entrepreneurs would play a crucial role in strengthening economic empowerment across the state. Speaking during International Women’s Day celebrations in Amaravati, he highlighted the growing contribution of women led enterprises to the state’s development.

Naidu noted that the government had earlier set a target of creating one lakh women entrepreneurs and had already exceeded that goal. More than 1.1 lakh women were running micro, small and medium enterprises across Andhra Pradesh, including nearly 34,000 businesses in urban areas.

The Chief Minister also pointed to the strong network of women self help groups under the Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas programme. The initiative involved more than 84 lakh members across about 8.3 lakh groups and helped bring many women into income generating activities.

To further support women led businesses, the government introduced the Swayam brand to promote products made by self help groups and expand their market reach. Officials said the initiative aimed to build a strong identity for goods produced by women entrepreneurs in the state.

Looking ahead, the state government set an ambitious goal of creating five lakh women entrepreneurs in the coming year. Naidu said the expansion of women led enterprises would strengthen household incomes and contribute to broader economic growth in Andhra Pradesh.